Ernest “Ernie” Allen Sage

Ernest ("Ernie") Allen Sage, 85, of Dunkerton, passed away on September 26, 2023. Predeceased by his parents Donald and Elaine Sage and his siblings: Eddie Sage; Ethyl Adsit; D.W. ("Bill") Sage; Robert Sage; and Rosemary Fliss. Survived by his wife Virginia (Clubine), his children: Eric (DeeAnn) Sage and Allen (Cassie) Sage of Dunkerton; and Melinda (Alexander) Cartwright of Orlando, Florida; his brother Tom Sage, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Ernie was born October 27th, 1937 in Waterloo to Donald and Elaine Sage, the fifth of seven children, and lived his entire life in Black Hawk County. He graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1955.

Running a tiling machine on a particularly hot day, Ernie thought he heard a tree speak to him. After questioning his sanity, he saw Virginia standing in the tree's shade. In retellings, Ernie proclaimed love at first sight underneath the "talking tree." Ernie and Virginia married on March 6th, 1960.

In their 63 years of marriage, Ernie and Virginia dedicated their lives to God, family, and farming. Ernie was an active member of the Dunkerton United Methodist Church and the Black Hawk County Farm Bureau. Despite a near-fatal accident in 1970 which left Ernie hospitalized for 50 days and consequent health battles including progressive loss of eyesight, Ernie and Virginia persevered out of a dedication to feeding America. In recognition of their dedication and skill, Wallace's Farmer magazine named the couple Master Farmers in the spring of 2006. Ernie will be missed by the many who loved him.

Family Directed Visitation on Sunday, October 8th, 5-7pm; Monday, October 9th, 9-10am and a Family Directed Celebration of Life on Monday, October 9th at 10:30am, all at Dunkerton United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be directed to the Dunkerton United Methodist Church or to the "Ernest and Virginia Sage Endowed Fund for Nursing" at the University of Central Florida.

Here is the link for the endowment (copy and paste link in your search bar): www.givecampus.com/campaigns/40214/donations/new